Hiltz sets American record in mile

Nikki Hiltz, a former University of Arkansas All-American, broke a 38-year-old American record in the mile Friday at the Monaco Diamond League meet.

Hiltz finished sixth in 4 minutes, 16.35 seconds to break the previous record of 4:16.71 by Mary Slaney in 1985.

Faith Kipyegon of Kenya won the mile in Monaco in a world-record 4:07.64. The previous world record was 4:12.33 set by Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands in 2019.

Hiltz, a seven-time All-American for the Razorbacks from 2016-18 after transferring from Oregon, won the 1,500 meters at the USA Championships on July 8 by running 4:03.10 seconds at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Arkansas freshman Jaydon Hibbert, who has a Name, Image and Likeness agreement with Puma but is still competing as a collegiate athlete, went 57 feet, 11 1/4 inches on Friday night in Monaco in his Diamond League meet debut to finish second.

Hibbert, who swept NCAA and SEC triple jump titles indoors and outdoors and won the Jamaican national title earlier this month, was beaten by Olympic bronze medalist Hugues Zango, 30, who went 58-1 1/4.

Hibbert, 18, went 56-6, 56-5 1/2, 55-10 1/4 and 57-6 1/4 on his other attempts Friday. He passed on his fifth attempt before Zango took the lead.

Shamier Little, a former NCAA champion at Texas A&M who trains in Fayetteville and won this year’s title at the USA Championships, took second in the 400-meter hurdles at the Monaco meet, running a personal-best 49.68.

Tara Davis-Woodhall, who also trains in Fayetteville after competing at Georgia and Texas, finished second in the long jump with a mark of 22-7.